Hiya.
Each morning, wherever we are on this spinning rock, nature delivers us
a brand new sky and we have an opportunity, maybe even an obligation, to
make the very best of such a gift.
Sure. We may not always see the world that way but each of us have
interests, passions or objectives to fulfill, even if that thing called
life sometimes gets in our way or threatens to stall or halt our
immediate plans or aspirations every now and again.
Holding a dream or goal or some obscure desire to accomplish something,
(aside from some hard wired instinct of nature), may be considered to be
a unique human characteristic, though perhaps it is the raw, driving
force in every living thing on Earth.
Whatever it is, it is fantastic when such things are realised.
I’ve recently taken delivery of an eBike … to address and manifest
some particular dreams of my own … and can say that the experience,
within the last 48 hrs, has profoundly exceeded and eclipsed all of my
imagined expectations of actually owning and utilising such a machine.
I don’t intend to reveal the make or model of my particular electric
steed this very moment but would, instead, like to invite you to guess
what sort of machine I chose … based on my specific, particular
location and requirements.
Here is the remit.
a) I always intended to buy a secondhand machine.
b) I didn’t want to be liberated from having to exercise or exert
myself. (Health wise, the concept of effortless, non physical, human
input goes against my objectives).
c) I needed a machine with good torque and hill climbing
characteristics. (I live in West Dorset).
d) I’m 6ft. BMI 26. That’s a fit but still dead weight of 15 stone!
e) I wanted spare parts to be attainable. (I planned to avoid generic,
Chinese brands).
f) Sealed lead batteries would be fine.
g) My budget would be £300 max.
Yesterday, the machine took me to the very location that inspired me to
buy it. A wild, clifftop venue less than 2 miles from home … but, at
157m, (and off road), one of the highest promontories along the whole
South coast of England.
Up extreme inclines, through rain sodden, muddy fields, within a few
hours of the purchase, the machine had already rewarded me with
incredible views of my Jurassic coastline.
I realised the dream of owning such a bike and was rewarded with a 20
mile vision of Chesil beach arcing away to the East, a vision of the
whole of Lyme bay to the South and a spectacular, complete picture of
the whole of my own county spreading out beyond and behind me.
Below, I noted the beach and rocks where I catch bass out of the surf
and in the mid distance, just a couple of miles away, I was able to soak
up the rugged beauty of my own local beach where I fish and metal detect
regularly.
I photographed the vision for posterity. (Above).
The machine passed every test. It took me to my most favourite raw, off
road cliff top location.
… and this evening, as an experiment, I rode from Beach cottage,
(home), to the resort and harbour, (a mile from here), and back again,
without barely pedaling at all… just to test the actual motor.
In the spring and summer, I shall be setting the alarm for an hour
before sunrise, zapping down the bay to catch a half dozen mackerel and
returning home before most of the town has even awoke.
Beach, Jan 18, 2014
1
OxygenJames, jerrysimon, Kenny and 1 other person like this.
d8veh
d8veh Pedelecer
Joined:
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Messages:
6,350
Location:
Telford
Now that we know where you live, we’ll expect at least a cup of tea when
we drop in. Expect us when the weather improves a bit. We’ll try and
make it soon because we don’t want to get there only to find that the
approaching crumbling cliffs have already washed your house away in a
storm.
I’m glad you’re enjoying you new bike, but I can’t figure out what it
is. I need more clues.
d8veh, Jan 18, 2014
2
Geebee
Geebee Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Mar 26, 2010
Messages:
471
Location:
Australia
I think if the coast line drops away enough to include the marked
cottage England will have shrunk by a noticable amount 🙂
Funny I watched a show on telly last night about house being lost to the
sea side erosion in England.
Nice photo Beach.
Geebee, Jan 19, 2014
3
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
First, a reply to d8veh
Hello. d8veh,
A big thank you for kicking off my communication on Pedelecs. I’m a
veteran of internet forums but it is always satisfying to make initial
contact with the denizens of any new virtual watering hole.
To address your first comment …
My location is Paradise … and I guard and watch over my own personal
West Dorset sanctuary with a passion you might not even comprehend! My
best and closest friends know not to surprise me with unannounced visits
to my home so the idea of strangers seeking me out is not one that will
ever appeal or happen.
That said, my town and my coast is probably one of the most intriguing
locations anyone might care to visit so, sure, keep an eye on any of my
future posts, (should I choose to stay here), and, just maybe I’ll
reveal the best off road routes to investigate and visit across the
jewel that is West Dorset.
Prehistoric Dorset. Ancient Dorset. Medieval Dorset, Smuggler’s Dorset.
Tourist Dorset.
Obviously, the above comment means little to anyone outside pedelec
range of West Dorset but this is an eBike forum so, for those in the
South, I hope and anticipate that my local knowledge could or might be
of some worth if presented here.
Other thoughts
Me? I’m more interested in living, experiencing and doing pedelec stuff
rather than sitting on my butt pontificating about the technicalities of
the pursuit. However, as someone who has read Pedelec threads for years,
I wonder at some things.
I mean, sure, folk post or respond to hundreds, (or thousands), of
threads but … what does that mean?
Am I the only one to observe some irony in the above comment. I mean.
where do persistent posters find the time to actually ride their
machines?
No matter. This is my first post so I guess such mysteries can wait.
Just appreciate …
You might be a regular, frequent or prolific poster but that doesn’t
make you immune from my inquiring mind.
I’ve already read lots of FANTASTIC threads here at Pedelecs … but
have also read a few shamefully DIRE threads knocking new members.
No big deal. Every forum on the planet does it and it seems to be a
right of passage that everyone is expected to go through.
Just saying.
I’m not a troll or someone seeking conflict. Rather. I’m new to our
fabulous pursuit and keen to engage the Pedelec mind.
Anyway. To me, the whole purpose and point of owning and utilising an
eBike is to express, live and experience life … juxtaposed, adjacent
and just a bit left field of … the ordinary.
I went to the seaside today … it cost me less than 2p. 🙂
When I did the same thing in my Lexus LS400 limousine, it cost me more
than a taxi fare. 🙁
You can’t comprehend how amazing I feel when I look at ‘My Little Pony’.
I call her a pony because my machine has, (apparently), the power of
2/3rd of one horsepower!
I utterly. utterly love her!
She has a name now … but I’m not revealing that until I post a thread
connected with eBike security, satellite GPS and artificial
intelligence.
Your second question? Or rather your request for more clues?
I’ll address that after I have responded to GeeBee’s post.
Thanks for your comments, d8veh.
Appreciated.
Beach
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
4
Kenny likes this.
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
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Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Hi Geebee,
Thank you so much for responding. It is lovely to feel that my carefully
crafted words have been acknowledged.
Sure. Yes. Coastal erosion is major news these days … and also a cue
to allow me to relate the following.
I was becoming a bit rich and famous, (at the time back in the late
80’s), and my patented Gravity Technology had earned me enough money to
consider cash purchasing a quite extra-ordinary piece of real estate
right here in West Dorset and right close to the sea.
I mean within a stones throw of the sea … like just 20 paces away!
It wasn’t a titchy, garden shed sized property, (or beach hut), of the
type seen on more famous tourist beaches. It was a regular, full sized
one bedroom wooden chalet affair that just about qualified being called
an actual house.
A house where I could have rigged up a beachcaster rod and actually cast
out into the ocean … from the front garden!
Oh. And it wasn’t in some suburban area either. Rather, it was a mile
down the coast, on the grass looking out over the near deserted beach of
Eype, the idyllic location that lies directly below the headland from
where the photos in this thread come from.
The price then?
£20,000.
But … a lease only … for the actual fabric of the wooden structure.
In other words, I would be ‘buying’ just the structure …. and, as an
agreement dictated, would be expected to pay £1000 per year to maintain,
rent or secure … the actual land or dirt or space it occupied!
This was back in 1998 … and though I had real cash right then to
offer, I declined the purchase.
I hadn’t discovered or appreciated the landscape back then.
Today? … Well … Maybe the reason I love the first place I went on my
newly acquired eBike was because …
I now realise I might have actually OWNED a chunk of the most special,
raw, wild part of West Dorset that I choose to walk, cycle or eBike to
these days!
Yeah. Just looking up the page at the numerics that radiate £20,000,
makes me a bit jittery and regretful.
Obviously, with hindsight, it would have been a fantastic deal but …
well ,,,
OK. Sure. I don’t live in that actual dwelling but … from Beach
cottage, thanks to my newly acquired eBike, it remains a destination
only 10 minutes from home.
You like the photo?
Goodness. You should actually see the place in real life!
And better still, appreciate the journey from ‘The Beacon’ at the cliffs
highest point all the way back into town … being able to coast
downhill just about all the way.
I have zillions of internet friends. (I have an army of real friends
too) but … I’ve related my adventured on the cliffs to online folk so
many times, and shared the fact that I can ‘roll’ from the top of the
beacon, (150m high), right back down to my quirky little town …
without hardly touching the pedals … and I’m talking about a regular,
normal bike, not an eBike.
As I do that … and allow gravity to bring me home, I always thing of
eFriends working in offices in London or other friends toiling at
whatever they do … and I say to myself … “If I could bottle this
experience” or “If I could let others see and feel and experience that I
feel” in viewing the spectacular landscape …
Well. I don’t suppose I can …
But I can write about it …
I can share the experience …
Online …
A bit like now.
Cheers Geebee. Thanks for contributing.
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
5
Kenny likes this.
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Back to d8veh’s request for more clues regarding my choice of eBike.
The question is actually the perfect foil to allow me to comment upon
perceptions of what an electric bike is … or should be.
I understand forum culture. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge that
any online community can radiate or share … as a font of expert
knowledge, general guidance or as a kind of social glue to bring folk
together.
I don’t, however, appreciate the views of folk who dismiss or write off
a particular genre or brand of machine purely because they, themselves,
have deemed it fails to meet their own expectations.
The critique is meaningless. Such folk are not privy to the needs or
aspirations of others. They are merely engaging in, what I would have to
label as, eBike snobbery.
Sure. I made an earlier comment about avoiding ‘generic Chinese eBikes’
but that was in reference to a practical issue regarding sourcing parts,
not labeling a type or make of eBike inferior.
I thought, in presenting my requirements and needs, eBike wise, that my
eventual choice might have been quite obvious … but that choice, my
choice, possibly fell into the niche of being shunned here on this
forum.
I suppose that qualifies as a clue regarding the choice I eventually
made,
Make no mistake, I engineered this original post to showcase exactly
this issue. The issue being … some folk pedal their keyboard way more
than pedaling their pedelecs.
Truth is … it is not the remit or obligation for anyone here to offer
thumbs up or thumbs down to a particular type or brand of machine.
A commuter’s needs will be different that a recreational eBiker. An off
road enthusiast’s needs will be different than a shopper’s requirements.
A retired person’s goals may be different than a teenagers aspirations.
The eBike business community here would echo my observations.
An electric bike is a fabulous resource to utilise.
It should be a seamless extension of its owners dreams and aspirations
to the point where using or riding it should seem and feel a natural
extension of daily life … just the same way folk hop into and drive
their cars.
Would it seem appropriate to tut tut and chastise someone for driving a
Toyota rather than driving a Ford?
No. Of course not.
As my friend Barry White said, “Different strokes for different folks”.
OK. A final clue as to my determined choice of eBike? (Now realised).
This robust Land Rover of an electric bicycle was promoted and marketed
from a company based in the Southern part of England.
If you don’t get that clue … well …
Thanks for responding.
Your forum seems a bit quiet but … it is Sunday now so maybe some of
you will pop up during the day.
Nite nite.
Over and out.
Beach
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
6
Cyclezee
Cyclezee Official Trade Member
Joined:
Jul 13, 2007
Messages:
4,652
Location:
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
Hi Beach,
Welcome to the forum.
Nice to read your well crafted and intriguing posts.
I don’t know what you are on, but I want a bottle of it when you have
figured out how to do it.
Cyclezee, Jan 19, 2014
7
Mike Higgins
Mike Higgins Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Dec 4, 2012
Messages:
349
Location:
Devon
Hi Beach, welcome to the forum.
I’m guessing you have a Powabyke, probably one of the older models with
the battery along the twin crossbar? Just a guess.
Mike Higgins, Jan 19, 2014
8
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Ha ha.
Thanks Cyclezee. 🙂
You just won’t believe it.
I mean … I had so many amazing plans, you know, for when I actually
got my eBike?
Her name is EVA. I call her Eva because I have a smartphone based
personal assistant, (superior to iphone’s SIRI), and, mated with an app
called ‘MapMyRide’ on my Android phone, Eva, (my virtual smartphone
assistant), logs and records my adventures!
And, thanks to the genius of Google, she talks, (and understands me),
using a posh, plum proper English voice! (I had to pay extra for that
but it’s kind of cool!)
When I go out, Eva, (the personal assistant), talks to me, telling me
how I am doing, how many miles I have ridden and … if a text message
comes in via my smartphone, vocally relays the message … and even asks
me if I want to reply to the message.
I’m cycling along, Eva reads out the message and then asks me, “Beach.
Do you wish to respond?”
I can verbally utter “No” (while I am happily zapping along), or say
“Yes” … in which case whatever I say is transformed into a text based
reply … and sent!
I’ve had Eva, the Android virtual assistant, on my phone for several
months but now I’ve got the eBike and “MapMyRide”, I’ve kind of decided
that Eva the Android personal assistant is part of the eBike experiment
… hence my bike is now … EVA!
Yeah. Let’s run that back just one more time.
My eBike is intelligent. It has the computing power to tell me my speed
in MPH, produce a map of where I have traveled and talks to me when I
have mail, a phone call or some meeting I need to attend.
Also, (this is mental) … I have another smartphone, (given to me by a
friend), that is hidden on Eva, (the eBike).
When I go to Morrisons to do some shopping, I ‘arm’ the spare phone and
a satellite gets a lock on it.
It means that, if Eva, (the eBike) was moved or stolen, I get an instant
phone call to my regular smartphone … and I can track wherever the
bike goes in real time.
Just this evening, (well, last evening), I printed out a label stating,
“INTERNET TRACKING ENABLED” … along with a sentence stating “This
machine is protected with smartphone, internet and WiFi security” …
and I used my hot laminator thing to produce the business card warning
sign – which I then cellotaped to the eBike.
You want some of what I’ve got?
I’ll say it now … really quick.
I was blissfully happy in love and married for 20 years … until I
invented something quite extra-ordinary.
I got a bit famous, did all the celebrity thing but … when I looked
up, my happy, lovely, blissful marriage was over! 🙁
I cracked up, (mental health stuff), then my body gave me a DVT, (Google
it), and, after several years repairing and rebuilding, I promised
myself I’d never let business or stress or fuss or anything ever bring
me down again.
I’m poor these days … but, I swear, you will not find a more content
human being on this planet.
And the most amazing thing?
I know I’ve healed because … what I’ve just told you took only a
paragraph!
Wind back six or seven years and it might have taken a dozen pages!
You can have some of what I’ve got … simply by letting go and
realising that most of the stuff we fret about … just isn’t worth the
adrenalin!
Thanks for the lovely comment.
Chris 🙂
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
9
D C
D C Finding my (electric) wheels
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Location:
Cairngorm National Park
med_prop_bike.jpg
Is this what you invented?:)
D C, Jan 19, 2014
10
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Mike Higgins said: ↑
Hi Beach, welcome to the forum.
I’m guessing you have a Powabyke, probably one of the older models with
the battery along the twin crossbar? Just a guess.
Thank you for the welcome, Mike.
Yes. Correct.
Powabyke Euro … in pristine condition.
The important thing to bear in mind is that, partly by trawling this
very site over the last several months, I kind of organically came to
the decision that the Euro would be a good choice to assist me with the
hills of West Dorset.
Could have bought any number of machines off of eBay or Gumtree but …
reading the comments on this very site … I came to learn that PowaByke
would deliver the torque and grunt to meet my specific needs.
Average price of a decent Powabyke Euro on eBay?
They tend to sell for around the £300 mark.
I got mine from an elderly gent who had looked after the machine
lovingly since new.
I bought it for … £150.
But that is not the whole story.
The gent also gave me some spares.
Powabyke front wheel, (Motor)
Powabyke back wheel.
Both wheels with kevlar tyres.
Plus … spare battery pack complete with batteries that have not yet
died!
The other batteries in the actual bike being about a year old.
All that, Mike, for £150.
And she is fantastic. Just as many, if not most of you folk on here,
said she would be.
And sure. The big battery pack makes the machine a bit quirky looking,
(though the whole pub I frequent thinks she is amazing), … but, I’m a
bit quirky also, (and I’m an inventor), so … Ha ha!
Sure. I’m quite defensive but … I mean, the machine performs
fabulously, and more importantly, she meets and exceeds all of my
personal requirements.
I live ONE MILE from Chesil beach, the fabulous Jurassic Coast.
I have some of the most fantastic scenery and some of the best sea
fishing spots just a few minutes away.
You can’t imagine the fun and adventures me and Eva are going to have!
🙂
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
11
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
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Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
D C said: ↑
View attachment 7691
Is this what you invented?:)
Ha ha, very funny, DC.
No … but I guess the concept isn’t quite so wacky these days!
Maybe, in about 60 or 70 years, we’ll start to feel the discomfort of
having to support the billions of us … with oil running out … and
then we’ll start to hurt.
Folk talk about ‘alternative green power’ taking over but there is no
way on this Earth that any other current commodity can deliver the 600
‘man hours’ of labour that 1 gallon of that rich black treacle delivers!
I’m feeling quite smug though. Apparently, Eva will deliver me 20 – 30
miles on about 5 pence of electricity.
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
12
Mike Higgins
Mike Higgins Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Dec 4, 2012
Messages:
349
Location:
Devon
I have heard good things about the Powabyke, and they look pretty
robust. SLA’s can be replaced for about £100 when you need to, but I
would consider going to Li-ion at that point, as it works out cheaper in
the end if you are using it a lot. (more charge cycles)
I can well imagine the fun you will have, as I live within a few miles
of the Jurassic coast myself.
Mike Higgins, Jan 19, 2014
13
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
[IMG]
Here she is. (I actually took these photos with the intention of
presenting them on this forum).
Is that a tidy PowaByke or what?
And just look. She carried me the 500ft uphill … through rain sodden
fields and all!
And you see the beach below?
I catch bass and mackerel from that shore … and the cliffs below are
teeming with giant starfish fossils and similar 400 million year old
‘stuff’.
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
14
D C
D C Finding my (electric) wheels
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Messages:
207
Location:
Cairngorm National Park
Beach,
your posts are brilliant and a breath of fresh air.
Keep up the good work!
D C, Jan 19, 2014
15
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
I should call you “Neighbour”, John! 🙂
Yep. The machine is perfect for me. Meets all of my particular
requirements.
The test I did by just throttling to West Bay, the harbour and back,
without offering or helping to pedal was one experiment but I plan to
venture along Chesil beach to a location called West Bexington, a fab
sea fishing venue … in fact, one of the best in the country.
I caught a 12lb 9 oz cod there, (38″ long), when I was a boy!
The beach at Abbotsbury, a mile further on, (about 8 miles from Beach
cottage), is more of a challenge though.
To go by road involves riding up and all the way down a huge hill …
but there is a crumbled concrete tank track between Bexington and
Abbotsbury running parallel with the beach, (laid down in WW2), so I may
attempt to avoid the huge hill by, instead, navigating the tank tracks
at sea level get to Abbotsbury.
And that is the point …
These things are easy by car … but the whole idea of doing stuff ‘off
road’, well, that was always part of the dream of owning and using an
eBike.
I work for myself. That means I can drop everything and head to the
beach just as soon as the word goes out that the vast shoals of mackerel
are hitting the beach.
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
16
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
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Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
D C said: ↑
Beach,
your posts are brilliant and a breath of fresh air.
Keep up the good work!
That’s lovely of you to say, DC. Thank you. 🙂
I do have quite a list of topics and threads I have wanted to present
… but had been unsure just how well my particular style of
communication might go down.
I’m an old hand at internet rhetoric … though none of us can expect to
cater for all tastes so …
DC. I really appreciate your comments.
And thanks, d8veh, Geebee, Cyclezee, and Mike also, for contributing to
and sharing my Brand New Sky.
Beach
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
17
Kenny
Kenny Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Jun 13, 2007
Messages:
194
Location:
West of Scotland
Terrific Posts Beach. A real breath of fresh air on the Forum.
Your story and wonderfully crafted words brightened up my rainy sunday
morning.
Kenny, Jan 19, 2014
18
flecc
flecc Member
Joined:
Oct 25, 2006
Messages:
26,088
Beach said: ↑
where do persistent posters find the time to actually ride their
machines?
I hadn’t seen this before, but as someone with nearly 26,000 posts in
this forum it calls for a reply.
The answer is easily. My past circa ten posts plus a day took very
little time and were often widely spaced and scattered as my present
somewhat lower rate is. I’m on record in here as completing over 3000
miles on one e-bike in a six month period of intensive battery testing
for a manufacturer during one of my most frequent posting periods.
An examination of my post timing is revealing too, a batch can sometimes
be seen early in a day with a further batch as late as late evening or
even the early hours at times when I wouldn’t be riding anyway. No posts
whatsoever between noon and the end of the afternoon is commonplace.
And I even find time to spend in your beloved Dorset visiting my brother
or niece at such places as Moigne Combe and Corfe Castle using Yalbury
Cottage Hotel, Kemps Country House Hotel or Mortons House Hotel,
accompanied by my folding eZee Quando based e-bike of course.
Hopefully this shows there is not necessarily any relationship between
posting rates and e-cycling rates. And I haven’t even mentioned my main
interest!
flecc, Jan 19, 2014
19
tillson likes this.
d8veh
d8veh Pedelecer
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Messages:
6,350
Location:
Telford
Beach said: ↑
The test I did by just throttling to West Bay, the harbour and back,
without offering or helping to pedal was one experiment but I plan to
venture along Chesil beach to a location called West Bexington, a fab
sea fishing venue … in fact, one of the best in the country.
I caught a 12lb 9 oz cod there, (38″ long), when I was a boy!
And that is the point …
Never mind the tea. I’ll be bringing my rods. I might be staying a
while.
I like those old Powabykes. I used to recommend them for hill-climbing
on limited budgets, but nobody ever took any notice. I’d more or less
forgotton about them because you don’t see so many now. I keep looking
out for a cheap one near me because I want to have a go at hot-rodding
one -maybe for the Bristol World Championships if they do it again this
year.
Regarding frquent posters using their bikes:
I’ve averaged about 2500 miles a year since I started ebiking. I have a
target of 3560 miles this year, which is an average of 10 miles a day,
every day. Unless I go somewhere special, I don’t post details of my
journeys. I use my bike nearly every day for shopping and nearly all
journeys less than 20 miles.
As well as riding bikes, I build about three or more a year, plus lots
of rebuilding to test equipment etc.
Last edited: Jan 19, 2014
d8veh, Jan 19, 2014
20
wd0021089 and flecc like this.
Brand New Sky
Discussion in ‘Electric Bicycles’ started by Beach, Jan 18, 2014.
Page 2 of 3
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peerjay56
peerjay56 Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
May 24, 2013
Messages:
407
Location:
Nr Ingleton, N. Yorkshire
d8veh said: ↑
I have a target of 3560 miles this year, which is an average of 10 miles
a day, every day.
Up your target by 90 D8veh, and you’ll achieve your 10 a day:D
peerjay56, Jan 19, 2014
21
Dynamic Position
Dynamic Position Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Feb 28, 2009
Messages:
302
Hi Beach,
Interesting to read your posts. The Powabyke Euro looks great as does
your location. My first thoughts was your ebike would be equiped to
carry your fishing gear and metal detector but then thought that your
choice of ebike was so you could adapt it? An ebike with some gravity
zero point technology would certainly cause a stir?
Looking forward to further postings.
Dynamic Position, Jan 19, 2014
22
neptune
neptune Pedelecer
Joined:
Jan 30, 2012
Messages:
1,240
Location:
Boston lincs
Dynamic Position said: ↑
Hi Beach,
Interesting to read your posts. The Powabyke Euro looks great as does
your location. My first thoughts was your ebike would be equiped to
carry your fishing gear and metal detector but then thought that your
choice of ebike was so you could adapt it? An ebike with some gravity
zero point technology would certainly cause a stir?
Looking forward to further postings.
Click to expand…
Ok then, I will ask the question that no one else seems inclined to ask.
Do you want to tell us about your Gravity technology?
neptune, Jan 19, 2014
23
trex
trex Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
May 15, 2011
Messages:
899
whoever peddles gravity technology (or nullpoint energy) is either a
confidence trickster or does not understand physics.
If you are to produce energy in our universe from NPE, you need to take
it from another universe which is indeed possible if a) you can contain
another universe inside ours (which is in itself impossible) and b)
trade between the two. Anyone who tries to build their NPE device with
the Casimir experiment does not understand physics.
trex, Jan 19, 2014
24
EddiePJ
EddiePJ Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Jul 7, 2013
Messages:
278
Location:
Crowborough, East Sussex
I’m another that likes the Powabyke. 🙂
I’ve yet to see one in flesh so to speak, but from photos they look like
they are built to last, in a Land Rover kind of way.
I recently had an ‘as new’ example of a Powabyke in my Ebay watch list
and kicked myself when I missed the end of the auction. For some strange
reason, I quite fancy owning a mint condition original one. Probably
wrongly, but I kind of feel that in some way that they have a place in
e-bike history.
Enjoy. 🙂
Last edited: Jan 19, 2014
EddiePJ, Jan 19, 2014
25
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
[IMG]
West Bay. West beach on the rare occasion of a perigee moon. (A
Supermoon). It only happens once every several years but this is a
photo, a quite unnerving photo, of West Bay … experiencing a massive,
uncharacteristic, really, really, really low tide. (Way lower than
regular spring tides).
Somewhere inside my mind I was thinking … “It isn’t going to turn into
a Tsunami, is it?”
Hey …
Hi Kenny 🙂
Thank you for your super acknowledgements. It is really nice to learn
that you are enjoying the posts.
Mmmmh. I have an inkling that I’m more likely to be a passing meteor
burning bright for just a few short days rather than finding myself in
some permanent orbit here.
But who knows.
Have a great evening. Kenny.
That’s nice, flecc.
Hi d8veh,
Well. With our shiney new twin piers and the curtilage of the harbour
greatly extended, the Bay is even more of a pleasure or treasure than it
was before and the increase in the number of bass fry, (who have now
adopted the outer harbour area as a nursey), probably means that the
overall bass population should steadily rise over the next decade or so
also.
Currently, Chesil beach is giving up the odd double figured cod, I say
currently, I actually mean ‘as of a couple of weeks ago’ before the
devastating floods, storms gales and rain hit us. It is probably fishing
even better now though, after having the seabed churned up this last
week or two..
My goal, over the coming months, is to fish, record, photograph and
write an account of the first several miles of the Western end of Chesil
as viewed from the eyes of the wandering soul persona I shall need to
adopt for the role.
Would not … could not even attempt it without my eBike.
Ha. Anyway. I should stop broadcasting the merits of my own unique part
of West Dorset. I get frustrated with the existing teeming hordes of
summer visitors as it is without inspiring or encouaging even more of
them!
“Move along please, nothing to see here!” 🙂
—
Yes, I like those old Powabykes too! 🙂 So much so that I remained
determined to specifically and exclusively track one down!
Those are some impressive figures, d8veh.
Here are mine! Well … in a minute or so.
Aside from tinkering with and rebuilding a little generic Chinese
eFolder back in November of last year, I had never ever as much as
looked twice at an electric bicycle, let alone ride one. I rebuilt that
Chinese thing with a secondhand … was it anM109 motor? Can’t remember
and am not going to Google it … It was a round, black 250W motor thing
anyway.
I bought a couple 12v 4.5ah Lucas SLA’s off the net. I sourced the
controller and ethrottle thing from China and, Bingo, in next to no
time, the scrap of rusty red ejunk I had bought from the guy down the
recycle centre, (the tip), had become a pure, well, artic white folder
with two black wheels!
I rode it twice … around a public car park … and then I parked it up
at the bottom of my Zen garden … which is where it calmy resides and
will reside for the foreseeable.
The new machine? I’ve ridden it three times so far.
1.A trip to the the wild downs and cliffs. 6.2 miles.
- The ‘motor test’ down to the Bay and back. 4.23 miles.
- A 1.1 mile trip there and back to a supermarket..
12 miles.
It is fascinating to ponder though, that the eBike is merely the
facilitator of my, already fully formed ideas and aspirations. She is
merely the hammer that drives home the nail of whatever dream, scheme or
adventure I may be on.
Yes. I’m sorry if I offended you regarding my ‘persistent poster’
comments, d8veh. If I’m truthful, which of course I am, I can admit to
being a bit of a PP myself in the past, though on serious or
philosophical web forums, (not on niche sites like this), and I was
possibly a pain in the **** sometimes, dashing to every new original
post or thread to comment … to spray my literary musk all over it …
just to let folk know, (or to remind them), that I was still there.
And yes. I used to boast about how many Serious Stuff or Forum threads I
had posted and actually played the game of ensuring ‘Beach’ kept his
threads popular and in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at all times!
Sad really. It is a kind of ‘big fish in a small pond’ syndrome … and
yes, I have had that ailment myself! 🙂
But hey! At that time, several years ago, even the wheel had fallen off
the cart I was going to hell in and I guess the forum feedback (and
online company) was a kind of therapy of some sort.
Actually. For me, this is quite a novelty. A niche interest for sure …
but the very nature of the cyborg type machines we use and have a common
interest in, does allow for a broad church of chat, conversation and
debate.
Hi peerjay, Thanks for looking in. 🙂
Good Evening, Dynamic Position,
Yes. 100%. You are absolutely right about the Powabyke. I do indeed see
it as being a sturdy, robust steed. Yes. It had to be able to carry
beachcaster, spinning rod, all the tackle, my food, water, etc and, yep,
at least one of my detectors.
And yes, further amendments are planned.
A 5 bolt, 40T chain ring will be added behind the existing ring to
enhance the gearing for a calmer, less feverish ‘on the flat’ pedaling
experience.
So far, a quick release bracket for my digital cameras has been added
… and security, aside from obvious visible deterrents, now also
includes smartphone / internet security.
[IMG]
Ha ha. Gravity … And to address neptune’s query as well … No. My own
technology his nothing to do with zero point. My devices and
manufactured products simply utilise gravity to create a variety of
ground based, wall based and overhead fixing, security and / or
anchoring devices … via the use of just one moving part … Typically,
a stainless steel ball although the ball could be soluble, activated by
solenoid or WiFi control or by any number of additional means.
Depending how a system or product is needed, the device(s) and the
technology can be configured for just about fastening, anchoring or
security situation.
Feel free to peruse my American patent, (XXXXXXXXX), but be warned, you
have to scroll down quite a way before the patent begins to use real
English. Ha ha.
[IMG]
And … please appreciate that the diagrams are just that. They are
there to furnish the (granted) American patent. Technical drawings.
That’s all.
Sorry. Changed my mind re my patents. This Pedelec site throws our posts
out publicly. I’ll happily throw up one patent diagram, (Part of the UK
patent – above), but not the full document. I’ll show you an actual
product instead. (Below).
[IMG]
Garden ornament style invisible, tamper-proof security system
[IMG]
Same basic Gravity product but now configured as post system.
[IMG]
Cutaway to help folk get there head around my simple but ingenious
technology! 🙂
There. I have NEVER responded to unsolicited requests to see or discuss
my patented technology so you must have caught me on a good day,
Neptune.
Seriously. Remember what I wrote above? I mean … That Thing … That
technology just about destroyed my happy, perfect little life … and
has near put me in a box.
I’m proud of the technology and obviously feel comfy enough to relate
aspects of it, (and aspects of my life also) … BUT … it’s my
Frankenstein. It is a monster that never quite leaves the room.
It “effed” me … yet, in so many other ways, it still kind of defines
me.
Now please promise me … No more questions about That Thing.
Hi trex
According to some, the 11 dimensions needed to make one of several
embodiments of string theory work, (in part), suggests that, yes, we
could have other universes, (including microscopic ones), right here,
right next to us … just as we already have thousands of radio waves
right here, next to us …
String theory requires the concept of extra spatial dimensions to exist
but the philosophical theories of the subject remain a complete dog’s
dinner at some levels so insert however extra spacial layers you like in
place of the 11 I have quoted. A quick look online quotes 10 … and
then 5 … and then …
Ha ha
I often go to sleep with a podcast of quantum theory, string theory,
astronomy cast or something equally fascinating whispering in my ear,
(that stuff or just a good old fashioned recording of Coast2Coast), and
find myself being mesmerized to sleep by the baffling, almost impossible
to comprehend ideas involved! 🙂
Thank you, EddiePJ,
Yes. Already, I feel my task is nearly done … having, (I hope),
re-animated and redeemed the good name and reputation of a fine,
valiant, and I could almost add, loyal little electric bike that we
should all respect as a true classic example of the genre.
Like the Mini or VW Campervan, I thing the Euro, (and the near identical
looking Commuter), deserves to be acknowledged for turning so many folk
on to the pursuit.
Right. That’s me done.
It’s raining cats and dogs here in West Dorset.
Thanks for the comments.
Over and out.
Beach, Jan 19, 2014
26
Jimod
Jimod Finding my (electric) wheels
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Messages:
418
Location:
Falkirk
I’m not a huge poster but I find plenty of time for pedelecs and still
find time to go out to play on my bike. It’s easy, I’m a shift worker
and right now I’m doing a 12 hour nightshift and reading/posting on
here. Work/life balance is all you need. 😉
Jimod, Jan 20, 2014
27
Kenny
Kenny Finding my (electric) wheels
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Jun 13, 2007
Messages:
194
Location:
West of Scotland
Hi Beach,
Enjoyed your last post though not sure what your patent is about and the
last bit was straight over the top of my head. o_O
Still, very interesting Post and your enthusiasm for your new steed
reminded me of my first ebike rides nearly 5 years ago.
Being able to easily tackle any hill led me to lots of places I hadn’t
been since my childhood. Old schools. playing parks, reservoirs etc.
Sure, I’d passed them when driving my car but on the bike I would stop
and could almost picture myself as a young boy running around with my
pals. The bike was more like a time machine and brought back so many
memories of my youth.
I still love my bike though hate this time of year because I can’t get
out so much with the cold and wet conditions.
Hope you stay around to tell us of your future biking/fishing adventures
(or anything else you want to talk about :)). It’s certainly a beautiful
part of the country you live in.
Cheers Ken
Kenny, Jan 20, 2014
28
trex
trex Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
May 15, 2011
Messages:
899
Kenny said: ↑
Hi Beach,
Enjoyed your last post though not sure what your patent is about and the
last bit was straight over the top of my head. o_O
The patent is about a garden door latch:
http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publ…_EP&FT=D&date=19981013&CC=US&NR=5819495A&KC=A
Beach,
Apology about jumping the gun earlier. I enjoy reading your flowery
posts!
trex, Jan 20, 2014
29
flecc
flecc Member
Joined:
Oct 25, 2006
Messages:
26,088
Beach said: ↑
I should stop broadcasting the merits of my own unique part of West
Dorset. I get frustrated with the existing teeming hordes of summer
visitors as it is without inspiring or encouaging even more of them!
This is what decided me against moving to Dorset when I had the
opportunity after retiring. I still had memories of living in
Bournemouth for a while decades ago and that similar irritation then.
I try to keep my Dorset visits off-season as much as possible.
flecc, Jan 20, 2014
30
wissy
wissy Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Jan 26, 2013
Messages:
296
Location:
Wales
I understood the VW Campervan thing 🙂
wissy, Jan 20, 2014
31
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Hi Jimod,
Of course you are right regarding the ‘making time for stuff’ and, as I
related in my comment(s) to a8veh, it was wrong of me to make such a
judgmental, crass comment. I’m sorry if I offended or rattled others
with my insensitivity.
I apologise.
Good evening, Ken,
Ken wrote, “Being able to easily tackle any hill led me to lots of
places I hadn’t been since my childhood. Old schools. playing parks,
reservoirs etc”
Well, Ken. Today, I followed and pursued exactly that philosophy and
stretched Eva and myself to the point of delivering the pair of us to
the absolute outer edge of our West Dorset playground.
I’m saving the details of this afternoon’s adventure for a fresh post so
won’t reveal many details here but, put it this way, I found myself so
off the beaten track that I started to have serious concerns about my
welfare!
Set off at 1pm today with specific dreams, objectives and goals … to
learn just how far my new cyborg, man/machine body and mind could reach
… and have only just made it home.
I’m in one piece but feel a bit like the protagonist in “The Truman
Show”, having now explored up to and beyond the physical limits of my
Brave New (Pedelec) World.
Post to follow … once I have processed the adventure, photos and
overall experience.
Well trex. Yes, I suppose you might describe the device as a latch and
that is one of its features.
Here is one embodiment of my technology that meets your latch
description.
[IMG]
The gravity fastener has a blade that temporarily dislodges the ball
when it is introduced to the chamber, temporarily knocking it aside. The
fastener with the hole in its centre then fully engages and the ball is
then able, acting under the influence of gravity, to drop back into the
hole, fastening, anchoring or securing fastener in chamber.
To remove or unlock the device, all that is required is a mechanical,
(or other means), to temporarily nudge the ball away again … and the
fastener can be removed.
I developed the idea after remembering how folk used to catch monkeys in
the wild.
They would put fruit in a hollow tree and wait for a monkey to arrive
and discover the fruit.
The monkey would put it’s hand in the hole, grab the fruit … and then
its balled fist would be too big to come back out!
The Greedy Monkey would refuse to let go so … it was trapped!
In my products, the fruit is represented by the ball. The monkey’s hand
is represented by the Gravity fastener … and the hole in the tree is
represented by the Gravity chamber.
Catching monkeys and starving them of water, was a great way of finding
hidden springs in the wild. On releasing a parched monkey, tribal folk
would then follow it … knowing that the monkey would lead them to its
own water source!
Aesop told a similar story 2500 years ago regarding the ‘boy and the
filberts. The little boy tried to steal nuts from an open necked jar
and, as with the monkey, once the boy grabbed his prize, he too fell
under the same bewitching spell.
In Caribbean countries, mothers warn their children about ‘not being
greedy’ and relate the same Greedy Monkey story. The moral being, try to
grab too much in life can leave you with nothing at all.
Quite poignantly, (and ironically), it was my striving for success with
my Greedy Monkey universal mechanism and manufactured products that
eventually resulted in my losing all I ever held dear in this world.
Anyway, thanks for taking an interest, trex.
Good to read your comments, flecc.
I’m cheered to learn that you are familiar with Dorset … and, yes,
although tourism is one of the life bloods of this little county, it can
still seem a double edged sword. We need the trade and revenue this
jeweled chunk of England brings in but, well, I growl a bit when I step
out into the mayhem of our Saturday market and have to walk in the road
simply to be able to avoid the throngs of visitors cramming our
pavements as they shuffle, quarter normal walking pace, 5 abreast,
mooching about the town’s street market stalls or pointing and ooh-ing
and ah-ing
My cottage is down a 17th century passageway. The alley is quite dark
but, from the street, tourists can see beyond the passage to the
explosion of flowers I grow at the top end of my 165ft garden.
[IMG]
It is a regular photographer’s trap. They see the vibrant, rich pastel
colours of the flowers juxtaposed against the ancient flagstones and the
dark alley and feel compelled to take pictures.
A couple of years ago, I wandered out from the conservatory to my newly
laid patio and found a Canadian couple setting up a tripod and camera
equipment in my garden!
Basil Fawlty style, I hollered at them with a …
“Would you like some sandwiches perhaps … or some jam and cream scones
… or will you be settling for a cup of Earl Grey???”
I sound terrible, don’t I?
I’m not though … and, as you may have already worked out, I hold an
almost psychotic love for my fabulous, quirky little town and every last
inch of its history, geology, topography and environs.
As you rightly point out, off season is incredible.
I sometimes cycle … Hah, I mean I used to cycle, (traditionally), to
Eype beach in the autumn, to seek out the last of the bass before they
sulk off to deeper waters offshore and I’d not see another living soul.
Actually, even in the summer, Eype beach maintains that kind of remote
magic because it is not even very populated then … aside from when the
schools break up … or when we are having a particularly blistering hot
season.
Incidentally. Today, in planning my adventures, (as is my habit and way
when communicating on a forum), I specifically had you folk at Pedelecs
in mind … so prepared accordingly.
I took with me a regular digital camera, my trusty Huawei smartphone
camera and a further Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini smartphone camera, to
give them a technical workout and to be able to furnish a future post
with images for your entertainment.
And now, after having a cuppa, I shall drop into euphoric, creative mode
and craft a thread for you.
It is my intention to be far less verbose in the next original post. The
idea will be to tell a story in pictures … but I can’t guarantee to
keep my enthusiasm in check!
I will try though. 🙂
I’m aware that, while I may hold a passion for such distractions, not
everyone might share that view … and maybe such self indulgence is
irritating to others more interested in discussing the technicalities
and mechanics of the hobby or pursuit.
We know the golden rule of internet communication though, don’t we?
If you don’t appreciate a thread, (or poster), just pass it by! 🙂
Thanks Jimod, Ken, trex and flecc.
Time to put the kettle on.
Beach, Jan 20, 2014
32
EddiePJ likes this.
Jimod
Jimod Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Aug 9, 2010
Messages:
418
Location:
Falkirk
Beach said: ↑
Hi Jimod,
Of course you are right regarding the ‘making time for stuff’ and, as I
related in my comment(s) to a8veh, it was wrong of me to make such a
judgmental, crass comment. I’m sorry if I offended or rattled others
with my insensitivity.
I apologise.
Time to put the kettle on.
Click to expand…
Don’t fret it, I wasn’t offended, just pointing out how it’s done. 🙂
As for the kettle on idea. Try Bewley’s Irish breakfast tea bags.
They’re second to none.
Keep posting, I’m liking the pictures.
Jimod, Jan 20, 2014
33
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Hi Wissy,
I’m, no doubt, smitten and bias in regards to the charms of ‘My Little
Pony’ of a Powabyke and obviously, already, have a soft spot for her …
but yes, I feel she is old enough, in years and with regards to
posterity, to be viewed in some nostalgic way …
Obviously, time and technology has marched on but she still performs the
job she was created to do, extremely well, and could now even be
described, design wise, as having a cool, retro look to her.
And, like a VW campervan, she radiates the promise of being able to
deliver adventure, happy pursuits and good times!
Beach, Jan 20, 2014
34
flecc
flecc Member
Joined:
Oct 25, 2006
Messages:
26,088
Beach said: ↑
Good to read your comments, flecc.
I’m cheered to learn that you are familiar with Dorset … and, yes,
although tourism is one of the life bloods of this little county, it can
still seem a double edged sword. We need the trade and revenue this
jeweled chunk of England brings in but, well, I growl a bit when I step
out into the mayhem of our Saturday market and have to walk in the road
simply to be able to avoid the throngs of visitors cramming our
pavements as they shuffle, quarter normal walking pace, 5 abreast,
mooching about the town’s street market stalls or pointing and ooh-ing
and ah-ing
My cottage is down a 17th century passageway. The alley is quite dark
but, from the street, tourists can see beyond the passage to the
explosion of flowers I grow at the top end of my 165ft garden.
Click to expand…
Beautiful spot to live, but I can well understand the visitor problem
since my brother finds them quite a nuisance since moving into this 15th
century building in Corfe Castle. The stone staircase at the front is
his fire escape!
flecc, Jan 20, 2014
35
Dynamic Position
Dynamic Position Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Feb 28, 2009
Messages:
302
Beach,
Looks like a neat and simple product which could be used for lots of
applications, it is a shame that it has not worked out.
I hope your retirement goes well as I look forward to reading more of
your adventures. I’m particularly looking forward to some treasure
hunting, hopefully you will post some details on your metal detecting
trips?
Dynamic Position, Jan 20, 2014
36
trex
trex Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
May 15, 2011
Messages:
899
Beach,
about your door latch.
if the body and fastener are made out of aluminum alloy, the key could
be simply a couple of magnets hidden somewhere.
That’ll last a few hundred years and requires zero maintenance. I
haven’t seen it sold anywhere though.
trex, Jan 20, 2014
37
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Hi Dynamic, Hi trex,
Yep! I’m a genius 🙂 and yep, as either a fixing, fastener or anchoring
device, the thing can be configured in a hundred ways for a hundred or
thousands of applications.
… but give me a break, guys.
I still own all the worldwide patents, the tooling etc etc but … it
damn near destroyed me and I simply will not allow the thing to manifest
anywhere in my world again.
Find me a deep enough hole and I’d throw the whole venture down it.
Yes. Of course I am proud of it, as a device, as a mechanism and a
technology … my technology, and sure, as it’s father and creator, I’ll
never stop loving it but … I don’t need conversations or suggestions
as to it’s commercial worth. It’s like kind of raking over hot embers
that might re-ignite and burn me.
That memory. That aspect. That side of it hurts my head and makes my
heart feel heavy at the very contemplating of the subject.
I’m being gentle and respectful but … I’ll pass on any more queries or
questions … cos otherwise, it’ll distract me from more worthy thoughts
and or pursuits on here.
My profile pics are quite ambiguous and only really give a hint that I
am or was a ‘successful’ inventor. (Most never make it). That was fine
and, anyway, I always show that sort of material on my profile. Heck.
Why shouldn’t I? I’ve done something cool … but I never, (normally),
actually discuss it online. (I did state to Neptune that he must have
caught me on a good day … )
Less of the ‘retired’, Dynamic. I’ll have you know that I am still a
fit, youthful 50 something!!! Ha ha.
Beach, Jan 21, 2014
38
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Fabulous dwelling, Flecc. I love the quirky, ancient stairs! 🙂
Beach, Jan 21, 2014
39
Scimitar
Scimitar Pedelecer
Joined:
Jul 31, 2010
Messages:
1,711
Location:
Ireland
Interesting latch, but the problem is that one thief might be baffled,
the second nicks the lock and the third one comes ready for it.
It would be galling if the Chinese started knocking them out by the
thousand for a couple of bucks and paid naff all in royalties.
Scimitar, Jan 21, 2014
40
Brand New Sky
Discussion in ‘Electric Bicycles’ started by Beach, Jan 18, 2014.
Page 3 of 3
< Prev 1 2 3
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Hi Scimitar.
Thanks for calling in. 🙂
Beach, Jan 21, 2014
41
EddiePJ
EddiePJ Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Jul 7, 2013
Messages:
278
Location:
Crowborough, East Sussex
Beach said: ↑
[IMG]
Here she is. (I actually took these photos with the intention of
presenting them on this forum).
Is that a tidy PowaByke or what?
Click to expand…
I was talking to an e-bike dealer only yesterday and the subject of
PowaByke came up. Even he was saying that he would loved to buy a load
up and store them away for when they become a collectors bike. I think
that he was possibly taking things to the extreme, but I definitely
fancy the idea of buying a mint original one as a keep forever bike.
EddiePJ, Jan 25, 2014
42
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Hi Eddie,
For sure!
As I stated earlier in this post, I used the collective experience of
Powabyke owners on this forum, (and the positive comments of other
contributors here), to do my own homework before determining that a
Powabyke Euro, or similarly styled Powabyke Commuter, would meet my
needs. (I decided I didn’t need the fuss or complication of the
Commuter’s extra gears).
I needed the hill climbing grunt. I wanted a robust machine … and I
just loved the design of the thing.
Actually. Your comment about holding a desire to own one as a keep
forever eBike allows me to correct something I stated earlier – and it
might encourage you to seek out a mint machine yourself.
Earlier, (during this thread), I said that the average price of a
Powabyke Euro was around the £350 mark.
Let me correct that comment.
The average price I’ve seen, as a wish or hope by those selling them, is
indeed around that figure BUT, of three mint looking Powabyke Euro’s I
watched last week on eBay, one sold for £150, one sold for £215 and the
other, (a 21 speed Commuter), sold for £300.50.
Another tidy ‘Spare or repair’ model reached £103.99. My memory isn’t
serving me so well at the mo but I think that machine needed new
batteries.
(Pause)
Yep. Just checked. “Batteries not taking a charge”.
Nevertheless, that too would have probably become a desirable commodity,
(for under £200), allowing for the expenditure on brand new batteries.
Collectable … and built to last.
I’m delighted with mine … and, with the spares I got with it, (Both
spare wheels and a spare battery pack with spare batteries), all I need
is another Powabyke frame and I could build a second one! 🙂
Beach, Jan 26, 2014
43
d8veh
d8veh Pedelecer
Joined:
Oct 12, 2010
Messages:
6,350
Location:
Telford
If I had one, I’d open up that battery box, remove the heavy SLAs and
insert about 15aH of 12S lipos to save a fair bit of weight, and
increase the power and speed by about 20%. The cost is still only about
£120, which is not much dearer than SLAs
d8veh, Jan 26, 2014
44
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
Fascinating thought, d8veh, and no doubt do-able … but I am in no
hurry, (personally), to dismiss the actual battery pack, (and SLAs),
because the very weight of the whole machine is a fundamental
requirement for my own, individual lifestyle and needs.
Eva is probably the same weight as a lithe, petrol moped … and that
fact suits me very well because it means that I don’t always get an easy
ride, (pun intended), or rather … I need to work and exercise and
apply myself diligently when cycling, (rather than motoring), with her
… or when shifting, pushing or generally having anything to do with
interacting with her when she is not under harness.
Keeping fit matters to me.
I’ve discovered, joyfully, that I now get more exercise with my eBike
than I have ever done with my mountain bike, primarily because, instead
of dismounting when facing impossible hills, I find myself still aboard
… and still pedaling!
I take your point though … and yes, she would still be an awesome and
robust carthorse … even with some TNT sticks of lipos in the battery
compartment … and it is encouraging to think she might improve
performance as you suggest. That does sound like something I will need
to consider.
… but not with Eva.
I’ll possibly pursue that with Eva’s sister!
As I’ve just related above, all I need is another Powabyke frame and I
can create a second, lightweight, leisure version. (I already own all
the fundamental spare parts to create a new one).
I hadn’t considered your option. Rather, I had considered how I might
meet my ultimate dream of actually traversing, not just the coastline
roads and paths, but the actual shingle and sand beaches themselves.
No. A heavy Powabyke will not cross pebbles, shingle and soft sand but
… having used the battery power pack to arrive at a destination, there
is nothing to stop me removing the pack and venturing onto a beach
without it.
For example, a girlfriend of mine lives one minute away from the steps
leading down to one of my favourite bass fishing haunts. My pack would
be safe until I returned to collect it.
Remember the opening first paragraphs of this first, original post??
I wrote;
“Each morning, wherever we are on this spinning rock, nature delivers us
a brand new sky and we have an opportunity, maybe even an obligation, to
make the very best of such a gift.
Sure. We may not always see the world that way but each of us have
interests, passions or objectives to fulfill, even if that thing called
life sometimes gets in our way or threatens to stall or halt our
immediate plans or aspirations every now and again.
Holding a dream or goal or some obscure desire to accomplish something,
(aside from some hard wired instinct of nature), may be considered to be
a unique human characteristic, though perhaps it is the raw, driving
force in every living thing on Earth.
Whatever it is, it is fantastic when such things are realised.”
One of those dreams, d8veh … Heck, one of the most important of them
… was to imagine and visualise actually doing, on an eBike, what I had
often done on my regular mountain bike … but at greater distance –
with wider scope, especially where fishing, photography or metal
detecting was concerned.
My second Powabyke will have fat, low inflation, (capable), sand bike
tyres and it will enable me to actually navigate the very fabric of the
beaches I currently walk, cycle or drive to.
The difference is … once I arrive at a beach location, the heavy
battery pack, (with batteries), can be discarded, (temporarily), and my
weighty eBike immediately becomes a Sand Bike!
And the space the battery pack took up?
I’m already creating a tackle box, (using thin marine ply), to nestle in
the same space the battery pack occupied. After experimentation, a final
tackle box will be created from glass fibre matting and resin.
Haven’t got time to create a special image of a sand bike version here
and now but we already know what a Powabyke looks like without its
battery pack.
[IMG]
The former battery pack space becomes a resource, a place to install
Thunderbird Two style pods like … for example, a custom made tackle
box, additional tools, yep, extra lipos, or, in my own case, an
advertising medium to promote my services!
OK. I’m settling for tackle box for now but … a Powabyke just screams
out to be modded! 🙂
Beach, Jan 26, 2014
45
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
I very rarely use internet links on posts but I’m tired and it’ll give
me a chance to test another feature on the Pedelec text editor. If it
works, this link will show you the kind of look, (and eBike), I’d like
to create using a Powabyke frame.
Well. I included a link but my post ghosted out. (Perhaps because I
linked to a commercial site).
Just google “Sand bikes” or “Fat sand bikes” and soak up those amazing,
fat sand bike tyres!
Awesome. Eh?
Beach, Jan 26, 2014
46
d8veh
d8veh Pedelecer
Joined:
Oct 12, 2010
Messages:
6,350
Location:
Telford
Don’t forget that you need a wide gap in the frame for a wide tyre.
You’ll have to cut and weld. Forks shouldn’t be such a problem because
you can get wide replacement forks.
d8veh, Jan 26, 2014
47
Beach
Beach Finding my (electric) wheels
Joined:
Sep 26, 2013
Messages:
44
Location:
The Jurassic Coast. West Dorset.
A close friend of mine, and the guy who fabricated most of my metal and
stainless steel prototypes during the R & D phase of my former business,
is a genius with stainless steel, having built up quite a lucrative
customer base with the RIB, (Rigid Inflatable Boat community) … and
other customers and businesses.
It has crossed my mind to ask him to create a new frame, in stainless
steel, to enable me to build a sand bike version of my current machine
with the spare wheels and battery pack I have waiting for such a
project.
I could use a beach ebike version normally to motor to a favourite
beach, leave the battery pack with a friend, (or bury it in the sand or
shingle), and then allow the fat tyres to take me over actual sand and
shingle by normal human pedal power.
[IMG]
A naked, stainless steel Fat Sand Bike version of a Powabyke Euro.
After cycling several hundred yards to my favourite bass or rock fishing
location and enjoying the experience, I’d expect to cycle back along the
the shore, reclaim the battery pack and motor home again.
Stashing the battery pack isn’t even an issue because most of my angling
and detecting locations are devoid of humanity anyway and very few folk
venture far off the beaten track along our coasts so security or fear of
anyone stealing the lumpy battery pack is not really an issue.
I’m in no hurry anyway. I’m still euphoric and excited contemplating
introducing Eva to my summer coastal haunts! 🙂
Can’t wait …
Beach, Jan 27, 2014
48
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